THE 18th Clacton triathlon weekend took place at Holland Haven Country Park.

This annual event is the only one of its type in the country and all proceeds go to the Brain and Spine Foundation.

Over the years, the charity has benefitted to the tune of an incredible £80,000.

The Clacton weather did not disappoint and the Olympic and Commonwealth-distance events were blessed with sunshine on the Sunday.

The Paul Hickey Memorial Trophy for the first Clacton triathlete home in the Olympic distance race was awarded to Alistair Strutt.

The trophy was donated by Keith and Bernie Barns in honour of Paul Hickey, a fellow member of The Gallery Run and Tri Club, who suffered a fatal accident in June while bike training on the A133.

It will now be presented each year.

The children’s duathlons were the finals of their Eastern Region League and consequently fiercely fought by nearly 200 children.

The sprints and Olympic distances attracted triathletes from as far as Newcastle, Surrey, London, the Army and American Air Force.

Altogether, 445 triathletes took part.

Clacton Triathlon Club was formed in 1999 for the sole purpose of raising funds for the Brain and Spine Foundation.

Original organisers Jonathan Martin, Simon, Nicky and John Kedge and Paul and Sharon Crawford, in addition to 53 faithful and dedicated volunteer marshals, provided a very professional approach to all the aspects of triathlon to make the weekend a tremendous success.

For more information, see www.clactontriathlon.co.uk and www.brainandspine.org.uk

The date for next year’s event will be announced in due course.